Category Archives: Thrushes

Doing a little birding at Greenfield Park around noon I came across an American Robin working on a worm. It pulled it out of the ground just before I arrived but then I watch it stab the worm numerous times killing it. The story ends as it ate the worm whole. A cool spring like day with plenty of sunshine with temps in the lower 30’s. Images were taken on March 12, 2018.

Tossing the worm around checking if it was still alive

Looks like another stab to the worm…

Looking the worm over….

Getting the worm straightened for eating….

Getting a grip on the worm…

The start of eating the worm. Bumps in the worm are the places the bird stabbed the worm killing it…

My first birding stop of the year at Greenfield Park provided nice views of a flock of about 20 American Robins. They were spread out in a short grass area eating fallen berries. I would assume these are migrants and the first of the year for me of birds moving northward. Other than that a pretty quiet day birding for Milwaukee County at places I stopped at. Images were taken on February 22, 2018.

I decided to make a run up to the UW Arboretum in Madison Wisconsin. My target bird was the Townsend’s Solitaire. It was present shortly after I arrived, but only gave brief views before disappearing. A couple hours later it was back and doing some feeding in conifers and once feeding on the ground. I was told the Townsend’s Solitaire was first seen there back on December 12, 2017. Wow, with all the food there I can see why it has not moved on. Usually there are a couple of Townsend’s Solitaires found at Devil’s Lake State Park every year. I think it has been awhile since one has been reported here. Another bird to note for the day but was not present, was a Northern Saw-whet Owl that was seen yesterday. Numerous birders showed up for that prize bird while I was there but it could not be found in the time I was there. It was a nice day out birding with some sun, mild temps and low winds. It was nice too to see some birders I have not seen for some time and exchange some birding notes with them. Images were taken on January 31, 2018

While birding Lake Park in Milwaukee I came across a couple of Hermit Thrushes eating Sumac seeds off a tree. I photographed the same species eating seeds at the exact location a couple of years ago, interesting. It was a gloomy day with a cold breeze off the lake. Images were taken on April 13, 2017.

Doing some birding on a rainy day I found a Leucistic American Robin in Waukesha. This is not the same bird that was found the other day in Waukesha on March 22. This bird has a lot more white. I found the bird just south of the baseball field at Frame Park in the city of Waukesha. The exact location was a empty city lot just south of the baseball field on Whiterock Ave. It feed for a couple of minutes as I observed it from the street. Amazing to see two Leucistic American Robins in Waukesha over a 4 day period. Another species seen today, FOY was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Frame Park during the rain. Images were taken on March 25, 2017.

What is Leucism? Leucism is an uncommon condition in birds. This condition is caused by a genetic mutation which prevents pigments, particularly melanin, from being deposited evenly in the bird’s feathers. Leucistic birds have melanin elsewhere in their bodies which is why they may have dark eyes, legs, and bills. However, their true color will be missing or greatly reduced due to the lack of proper pigmentation.

What is Albinism? Leucism is similar to albinism as in both cases the birds may be completely white. However, albinism is defined as a complete absence of melanin in an animal. Truly albino species will have pink eyes as the only color seen will be caused by blood vessels behind their eyes. They will also have pink bills, legs, and feet. Albinism is extremely rare in birds.

Notes: Leucistic birds are extremely uncommon for a number of reasons. They are not thought to live very long because their white feathers make it difficult for them to hide from predators. If they do stay alive, it is difficult for them to find a mate and successfully pass on their genetic mutation. Additionally, the melanin found in regular birds adds strength to the feathers. Leucistic birds lacking melanin have weaker feathers and thus have a more difficult time flying in severe weather. Last, the reflective properties of white feathers may be problematic for birds who rely on solar energy for heat.

It was nice to see this spring bird, a Leucistic American Robin in Waukesha today. It was on the south side of Waukesha near soccer fields. There were about 20 American Robins present in the area and all were actively feeding. Interestingly they would hold their head still near the ground and listen for worms, etc moving. Once they heard the sound of food they would poke the ground and usually come up with something. I was out birding and around noon in Waukesha area and I got a text from Dan W that he had the bird currently within views with Janet S. Just as I arrived the bird flew out of the area and we could not relocate the bird. After about 20 minutes I relocated the bird near a building lawn. The bird was first found by Jason S yesterday at the same location. A big thank you to both of them for getting the word out and the text today. I saw the report late yesterday afternoon and thought, I doubt an American Robin would spend the night here and be seen the next day, I was wrong. Images were taken on March 22, 2017.

What is Leucism? Leucism is an uncommon condition in birds. This condition is caused by a genetic mutation which prevents pigments, particularly melanin, from being deposited evenly in the bird’s feathers. Leucistic birds have melanin elsewhere in their bodies which is why they may have dark eyes, legs, and bills. However, their true color will be missing or greatly reduced due to the lack of proper pigmentation.

What is Albinism? Leucism is similar to albinism as in both cases the birds may be completely white. However, albinism is defined as a complete absence of melanin in an animal. Truly albino species will have pink eyes as the only color seen will be caused by blood vessels behind their eyes. They will also have pink bills, legs, and feet. Albinism is extremely rare in birds.

Notes: Leucistic birds are extremely uncommon for a number of reasons. They are not thought to live very long because their white feathers make it difficult for them to hide from predators. If they do stay alive, it is difficult for them to find a mate and successfully pass on their genetic mutation. Additionally, the melanin found in regular birds adds strength to the feathers. Leucistic birds lacking melanin have weaker feathers and thus have a more difficult time flying in severe weather. Last, the reflective properties of white feathers may be problematic for birds who rely on solar energy for heat.

I did some birding late morning at the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trails in South Kettle Moraine in Waukesha Co. Wisconsin. I did get some nice views of the Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Some of the other bird species present were the Brown Creeper, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Sandhill Cranes and Turkey Vultures. There was some sun today but the steady winds made it feel like a cold day. Images taken on April 16, 2014.

Hermit Thrush

Habitat: Breeds across parts of the western US, upper Great Lakes region, Northeastern US, Canada and Alaska. They use a variety of habitats such as coniferous or mixed hardwoods. They can sometimes be found in open areas such as edges of ponds, along trails, mountain glades or open areas of fallen trees. They winter in southern US, east and west coasts down to most parts of Mexico.

Diet: Main diet is insects in spring-summer changing to more fruit sometimes berries in winter. On occasion they will eat small reptiles and amphibians. Hermit Thrushes forage on the forest floors scraping through leaves or sometimes in trees hopping around for their food.

Nesting: The nest is cup shaped 4-6 inches across on the ground or in low vegetation, sometimes under a small conifer or shrub. The female constructs the nest of materials such as wood parts, mud and lichen, pine needles, grass and leaves. The nest is lined with willow catkins and fine plant parts. Construction of the nest takes 7-10 days, typically 4 eggs are laid. The male finds and brings the food to the female who then feeds the young.

Cool Facts: The Hermit Thrush stands and acts similar to an American Robin, but is smaller in size.

While birdwatching in Marquette County, I was able to photograph Eastern Bluebirds, a Red-headed Woodpecker, and others on October 26, 2013. Images were taken near a small water source where birds were coming and going, bathing, preening and drinking.

While out doing some normal birding in the South Kettle Moraine I came across an Eastern Bluebird nest in a natural cavity. They were feeding the young on a regular basis. I set for some shooting under a honeysuckle bush to capture some of the action. On one set of images a female comes out of the bluebird house with some new bugs that the male had just brought her, only to do a 360° turn right back into the house to feed the young.

Photographs were taken on May 30, 2013.

Eastern Bluebird

Binomial name:Sialia sialis

Category: Thrushes

Description: Both male and female birds have blue plumage on top with rusty-colored throat and breast. However, the male enjoys a much brighter blue color compared to the female’s pale blue feathers. The female also has a gray head.

Size: 6.3″-8.3″ long, 9.8” – 13” wingspan

Weight: 1.0 oz. – 1.2 oz.

Habitat: Forests adjacent to meadows or with clearings and near lakes or rivers

Nesting: Eastern Bluebirds seek out nesting areas abandoned by other birds such as woodpecker holes. The female will build the nest over the course of 1-2 weeks using feathers and plant materials. She will lay 3-7 eggs at a time, raising 2 broods over the course of a summer. Both parents will feed the young for 2-3 weeks before the fledglings leave the nest.

Notes: If you can offer a suitable habitat with trees and a water source, invite Eastern Bluebirds into your backyard with a nestbox. Click here for a blueprint and more information on this easy DIY project.